NRM legislators reject party’s Shs30,000 fee increment

NRM Members of Parliament on Monday night flatly turned down a party request to have their remittances to the ruling caucus increased from Shs20,000 to Shs50,000.

Caucus spokesperson, Margaret Muhanga told Daily Monitor that members protested, noting that they have already committed large chunks of their salary to “other things” and do not have any more money to give out.

The group’s treasure Mariam Naigaga had made the proposal to increase remittances from the current Shs20,000.

The money, according Ms Muhanga is used as some sort of insurance for the MPs in case any of them needs a contribution from the caucus leadership.

“The money in a way remains theirs as it will always come back to the members in case of a problem, if we are to give condolences as a caucus or if your child is sick and you want help. But they refused. They said they do not have any extra Shs30,000 to give,” she said.

MPs who attended the caucus meeting, which went on late into the night, said members heckled and shouted their treasurer down the moment they saw the line her presentation was taking.

“It was in bad faith that some members hurriedly rejected the proposal. But if we are to give it more time, it will be discussed and members will agree,” Mr Paul Amoru (Dokolo) said.

Speaking to Daily Monitor, Ms Naigaga however, said the MPs did not outrightly reject her proposal but asked her to “first handle the caucus Saaco registration before she proposes any new thing.”

Vehicle allowance
In the meeting, the MPs were also informed by officials from Ministry of Finance that the first batch of their vehicle money allowance will be remitted this month.

The MPs are supposed to get Shs200 million after the money was upped from Shs150 million in a meeting the parliamentary commission held with the President. The remaining Shs100 million will then be paid in the next financial year.

Meanwhile, the MP for Bunyole West, James Waluswaka, stunned the meeting when he took to the floor and demanded that the party gives members money for upkeep as they head out for recess on Thursday.

Members heckled him, and his request was ignored by the Chief Whip, Mr Amoru who has condemned him for presenting a “ridiculous request.”

“Maybe he was joking. But we won’t condone such requests. It was annoying to hear a member ask for such. They are the people who give us as MPs and a Parliament a very bad name. Even if he was to be joking, you cannot joke over such,” he said.

Attempts to get to Mr Waluswaka for comment were futile as he didn’t answer repeated phone calls to his known cellphone numbers.